Ms. Haines’s 8^th Grade Earth Science Syllabus, Policies and Procedures

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In the eighth grade earth science course, the focus is to help the student meet the content and work sample standards for the third benchmark level as set by the state of Oregon and the Corvallis School District 509J.  We do this by covering a variety of topics such as earth history, geological processes, meteorology, and astronomy.  Interlaced in each of these topics throughout the year is the nature of science. This is a hands-on course, incorporating labs and projects to get the main ideas across to students.  The students will be given opportunity to complete a scientific work sample that will be graded according to the state standards.  We will also help the students gain other necessary skills such as technical writing and reading, note taking, and organizing, to be successful in high school science class.

UNITS OF STUDY

    The Dynamic Earth

Unit 1-Exploring Earth Science (~ 4 Weeks)

• Major Topics: Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, and Astronomy
• Scientific Method
• Metric System
• Topography, Map and Compass

Unit 2-Rocks and Minerals (~6 Weeks)

• Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
• Properties of Minerals
• Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary Rocks
• Law of Historical Geology-Superposition, Intrusion, Cross-cutting, Horizontal Layers, and Included of Rock Fragments
• Relative and Absolute Dating
• Mining of Natural Resources/Minerals
• Alternative Energy Resources

Unit 3-Earth’s Interior (~2 Weeks)

• Physical and Compositional Layer of the Earth
• Earth’s Magnetic Field
• Convection Currents

Unit 4-Plate Tectonics (~14 Weeks)

• Continental Drift Theory
• Pangaea
• Sea Floor Spreading, Mid-Ocean Ridge and Magnetic Reversal
• Plate Movement and Boundaries
• Earthquakes-Seismic Waves, Elastic Rebound Theory, and Faults
• Faults and Folds
• Volcanoes-Anatomy, Types, Magma and Eruptions
• Mountains and Landforms Associated With Volcanism

Unit 5-Weathering and Erosion (~ 4 Weeks)

• Rate of Weathering
• Remove and Transportation of Sediments
• Wind, Rivers, Glacier, and Wave Erosion
• Hydrological Cycle
• Exploring the Oceans

Unit 6-Meteorology (~ 4 Weeks)

• Atmospheric Layers
• Temperature
• Barometric Pressure, Relative Humidity
• Wind, Precipitation, High Pressure and Low Pressure,
• Air Masses, Fronts Clouds and Weather Maps, Special Storms

The Earth in Space

Unit 7-Earth, Sun and Moon Relationship (~ 2 Weeks)

• Earth’s Rotation and Revolution
• Seasons
• Phases of the Moon

Unit 8-Components of the Universe and Solar System (~ 1 Week)

• Big Bang Theory
• Composition of Sun
• Composition of Inner and Outer Planets
• Models of the Solar System

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR CLASS

• FOUR ONE SUBJECT NOTEBOOKS (one for each quarter).
• Your school issued planner or one that suits your needs.
• A writing utensil.
• Clear tape.  We will be taping things into your spiral, you need to provide this for yourself.
• Colored pencils, crayons or markers.
• USB drive- this is not required; however, it is a good idea to save your work on two locations; here at school on your personal folder and on a USB in case something would happen to the school server.  Having a USB ensures no work is lost.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

·         The classroom expectations are simple and follow Cheldelin’s overall expectations of you.  If something feels like the wrong thing to do, take a moment and think it through before acting.

·         The classroom expectations are as follows:

o   Be positive and respectful.

o   Be prepared and responsible.

o   Be safe.

·         All of these expectations apply to:

o   Peers, staff, community and self.

o   Inside and outside the building, on school field trips.

o   Ideas, opinions of your peers, possessions of others, equipment/materials/supplies, and procedures.

o   During classroom discussions…when someone is speaking- I expect listening attentively to that person with no interruptions.

*Talk to me right away if there is something interfering with your learning.

·         In order to maintain a safe classroom, it is very important that you always act in a safe way in this classroom.

o   Always read, listen to, and carefully follow all directions.

o   Think before you act! Do not yell, run, push, throw things.

o   Keep your hands (and feet, elbows, ears…etc.) to yourself.

o   Report all accidents or injuries to me immediately!

LAB EXPECTATIONS

·         For labs, I expect that you follow the overall classroom expectations as well as:

o   Always read the directions all the way through before starting the lab.  This ensures you do not waste materials and that you perform the lab as specified.

o   Follow the proper cleaning instructions for each lab.  This means thoroughly cleaning all the materials you use, putting materials back where you found them, wiping down your lab table completely.

o   Do not use more materials than are specified in the lab.

o   Do not abuse the materials given to you, use them for the specified job.  Treat them with care.

o   Properly dispose of all materials.  Do not throw trash on the floor or leave it for someone else to pick up.

o   Bottom line…if you cannot follow lab expectations, you will not be doing labs. 

CONSEQUENCES FOR NEGATIVE ACTIONS/BEHAVIOR

·         Your consequence depends on the choices you make when you walk through the door.  The consequence listed is up to the discretion of Ms. Haines or substitute. 

1.       Reminder of expectation

2.       Seat Change

3.       Time in the Hall/Problem Solving

4.       Call or Email Home

5.       Noon Detention

6.       Referral to the SSR

·         Depending on the nature or frequency of the broken classroom expectation determines the consequence for the action.

ENTERING THE CLASSROOM

·         Locate your spiral on the shelf.  Take care of getting your pencil sharpened at this time.

·         When the bell rings, again the expectation is to be in your seat.  If you are not in your seat, you will be counted tardy.

·         Look on the SMARTBOARD for your directions to your bellwork.  Your bellwork will be on the SMARTBOARD 99.9% of the time, the expectation is that you are responsible in self-starting when the bell rings.  I should not have to cue you to get started.

·         Bellwork is part of your overall grade and is broken down as such:

·         Monday- Agenda for the week (Need planner on Monday’s, you will be receiving points for this)

·         Tuesday-Vocabulary for the week

·         Wednesday-Question of the week

·         Thursday-Quiz and/or pre-assessment for the upcoming topic/unit.

·         Friday-Current Event or Current Issues Ms. Haines will give with in-class discussion/journaling.

TARDY POLICY

·         In order to make the most of our time together, it is important that you come to class ready to learn.  In order to be counted “present”, you must be in your seat with your spiral and writing utensil.

·         Two tardies PER SEMESTER = warning that you have two tardies

·         Three tardies PER SEMESTER = Noon detention

§  If you receive three tardies in a semester, every subsequent tardy will result in a noon detention, it does not “start over”.

ATTENDANCE/ABSENCES

·         You must be here to understand the curriculum covered. 

·         If you are absent IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED & TO MAKE UP THAT WORK IN A TIMELY MANNER.

·         If you are absent, to find out what you have missed, go to:

1.       The calendar that is located at the back of the room and check the day(s) you were gone and the topic we discussed.  If there is a paper that was handed out that day and bellwork (example: vocabulary) it will be in one of the numbered folders in the plastic file holder below the calendar.  Any questions please come and see me.

2.       The earth science website’s homework link:  http://www.csd509j.net/cheldelin/Haines/homework.htm

3.       Blackboard on the web

·         If you are absent on your period’s spiral pick-up day, it is due the next day you return otherwise it is considered late, again this is your responsibility to hand in.

GETTING YOUR ATTENTION IN CLASS

·         Sometimes in class I need to get your attention for various reasons.  To do this I will say, “If you can hear me clap once.” (we clap once) “If you can hear me clap twice.” (we clap twice)

·         When that occurs, I expect all talking to stop, eyes on me, and attentively listening.  I also expect to have to say it once!

MOVEMENT/BATHROOM BREAKS DURING CLASS

• During lectures, the expectation is to raise your hand and ask permission if you need to get out of your seat to ensure the least amount of distractions.  If you need to throw something away or recycle something please wait until the end of class.
• Take care of drinks, bathroom, and pencil sharpening before class begins.  Do not ask permission to use the restroom during a lecture or class discussion unless it is an absolute emergency.
• I have no problem if you bring a water bottle with water to class, since I don’t allow passes to get drinks.
• Bottom line…do not abuse the privilege to use the restroom; otherwise, the restroom breaks will be limited or you will lose the privilege.

PASSES

• We will be using the same pass system as last year, meaning you will be filling out the small slips. 
• Again, do not ask to go out of the room during classrooms or discussions, it is a distraction and waste of class time when I have to get a pass for you to go.  During the appropriate time, such as lab time or individual work time, if you need to go out of the room please raise your hand or come up and ask me where you need to go.
• I will more than likely have you fill out the pass with your name, destination, and time and I will initial it.  When you return you need to fill out your return time and put it in the plastic tub marked “passes”.
• If you are asking for a pass for XLT, the appropriate times to ask me are: during a passing period or at the end of class after instruction is finished and you are waiting for the bell to ring.  I will not give you a pass for XLT during class or during your XLT time.

END OF THE PERIOD & EXITING THE CLASSROOM

·         At the end of the period, do not start putting things away until instructed or given the cue that the lecture/activity/lab is over.  It is a distraction and rude to be packing your things up when I or another student is talking. 

·         Once you are able to pack up your things and your seating area/lab table is clean, you may wait by the door.  Waiting by the door means you do not step into the hallway or push and shove others while waiting for the bell to ring.  If this is an issue, I will ask that you wait in your seat until the bell rings.

·         6^th period- the expectation for you is after packing up your belongings, you are responsible for putting your stool on the lab table.

GRADING SCALE

·         Online grades will be available through Pinnacle this year.   Your username and password will be sent home to you in the mail.

·         Grading scale:

o   90%-100% = A

o   80%-89% = B

o   70%-79% = C

o   60%-69% = D

o   59% or below = F

·         I will be using a points based system of grading.  There are no “weighted grades” in this class. 

·         If you have a discrepancy in your grade or questions on why you received a grade for a certain assignment, please come and see me.  The best times to do this are during morning break or after school.  Please just let me know you are coming to see me so I will be around.

SPIRALS

·         This year you will be using a spiral in this class.  Again, you need four one subject spirals, one for each quarter.

·         The purpose of the spiral is a way to keep all of your documents in one secure place, an instant conference between the two of us, a way for you to self-assess and a way to keep track of your grade in this class.

·         I will be picking up your spiral on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday of the week.  To find out that information, it will be located at the front of the room to the right of the SmartBoard every Monday (and we will go over it in the agenda for the week).

·         You are responsible for maintaining your spiral.  I will not grade your spiral if:

o   papers are not properly taped in

o   the cover is gone

o   the table of contents and page numbers do not correspond

·         If you are absent on the day your spiral is due for your class, it is your responsibility to hand it in the next day you return.  Absences lasting for an extended period of time will be dealt with on an individual basis.

HOMEWORK & LATE POLICY

In order to succeed in this class, you will need to do some homework.  Homework is important because it gives you a chance to practice and it helps you think about science outside of this classroom.

·         Complete each homework assignment and have it ready when it is your day for spiral pick-up.

·         Late work policy:

o   To receive full credit, you must turn your work in on time.

o   One day late- 10% reduction

o   More than one day late- 50% reduction.

o   Grades will be posted about every two weeks on the bulletin board.  Late assignments should be turned in no later than Friday one week following the posting of grades.  After that week, the assignment will receive a zero.

·         Put your best effort into your learning in and outside of the classroom.

·         Do your own work when asked to do so.

·         Ask questions!  There is no such thing as a silly question.

SCIENCE WEBSITE & BLACKBOARD

·         The science website is:   http://www.csd509j.net/Cheldelin/Haines/Index.htm

·         The Blackboard login site:

o   Please utilize both of these sites, they are there for you.

·         Please feel free to email me anytime or stop by my room after school if you have a question, concern, or just want to chat.  My door is always open!

CLASSROOM COMMUNITY

·         In order to ensure that this classroom is a safe and welcoming place for ALL students, everyone must contribute to a positive classroom community:

o   Be kind to everyone in the room at all times.  NO PUT-DOWNS!

o   Listen to other students’ opinions- without judging them.

o   Take a risk- share your opinion with the class.

o   Respect your classmates’ personal space and personal possessions.

o   Recognize that everyone has something valuable to contribute, no matter what they look like, dress like, act like, or sound like.

I look forward to a great year with you!